Updated: 20:29 ET, Jul 16 2021 BIZ Markie was a hip hop legend who left a lasting legacy on the music world. Known as the "Clown Prince of Hip Hop," he began his career working as a human beatbox for acts MC Shan and Roxanne Shanté. 3 Who is Biz Markie? Biz Markie was an American rapper, singer and hip hop legend. Markie was born in Harlem and started getting noticed while performing at colleges in Washington, Maryland, Virginia and Pennsylvania. He released his debut album Goin' Off in 1988, featuring the hit single Make Music With Your Mouth, Biz and underground classics Vapors, Pickin Boogers and Nobody Beats the Biz.